Mexico Women's National Football Team • United States Women's Nation

Mexico surprised the four-time World Cup winner United States women's national team during their last first round match at the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup. El Tri's 2-0 victory in Carson, Calif. It's Mexico's second win in 43 games with the United States, and the victory — El Tri's first against the Americans in 14 years — was enough to propel El Tri to the top of Group A ahead of the hosts.

Lizbeth Ovalle scored the Mexicans' sole goal late in the first half, and Mayra Pelayo-Bernal added another in second-half stoppage time. When the group round closes later this week, the United States and Mexico will find out who their quarterfinal opponents will be.

"This wasn't nearly our best," USWNT attacker Alex Morgan told the official broadcaster afterwards. "We're gonna have to digest and break down this game."

Play of the game

It had to be Ovalle's opening. El Tri goalie Esthefanny Barreras made a great stop on Emily Fox's long-range shot, but the visitors scored soon after.

Becky Sauerbrunn, a veteran American center defender, failed to clear a looping pass, allowing Ovalle to chip past home keeper Alyssa Naeher with ease.

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Turning point

The goal transformed the game, although the Americans were really second best from the start. Interim U.S. coach Twila Kilgore selected her most experienced roster for the first W Gold Cup, having already secured a position in the knockout round with wins against Argentina and the Dominican Republic.

It did not matter. While Mexico, who had already secured a berth in the tournament's last round, looked sharp from the outset, the United States was unable to convert their 63 percent to 37 percent possession advantage into goals or even threatening opportunities.

In fact, the host team was fortunate not to be two down at halftime as another first-half Mexican chance beat Naeher but did not reach the bar. Finally, FIFA's second-ranked squad deserved to lose to Mexico, placed 35th.

Key stat:

It is the USWNT's first setback against its southern neighbor since 2010, and the first on home turf. It wasn't a fluke. EL Tri outshot the US 13-9 on the night, including a 4-1 lead in on-target attempts.

"We found some pockets here and there but not nearly enough," Morgan was quoted as saying. "We didn't capitalize on the opportunities we had. I don't believe we've tested the goalie. I believe we broke down much too readily. And Mexico came to play today.

What's next for the US women?

A continental quarterfinal, likely against northern foe Canada. Whoever the Americans receive, it's an excellent chance for the USWNT to demonstrate that Monday was an exception. Coming off the worst World Cup performance in their storied history in 2023, and with the 2024 Olympics in Paris just six months away, the reaction will reveal a lot about where this squad stands when Emma Hayes takes command this summer.

What's Next for Mexico?

Following one of the most momentous victories in program history, El Tri's players must remain grounded. They've gained an edge by defeating the tournament favorites in the group round; Mexico will have an easier opponent when the teams are re-seeded after the group stage, at least in principle. But who would question Mexico's ability to reach the last four — or better — following their performance on Monday?

Doug McIntyre is a soccer journalist for Fox Sports. Prior to joining FOX Sports in 2021, he worked as a staff writer for ESPN and Yahoo Sports. He has covered the US men's and women's national teams at many FIFA World Cups.

Mexico surprised the United States women's national team in their last first round encounter at the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup. El Tri's 2-0 victory in Carson, California. It's Mexico's second win in 43 all-time encounters with the United States, and the victory — El Tri's first against the Americans in 14 years — was enough to propel El Tri to the top of Group A over the hosts.

Lizbeth Ovalle scored the lone goal the Mexicans needed late in the first half, and Mayra Pelayo-Bernal added another in second-half stoppage time.

When the group round ends later this week, the United States and Mexico will find out who their quarterfinal opponents are.

"This wasn't nearly our best," USWNT attacker Alex Morgan told the official broadcaster following. "We're gonna have to digest and break down this game."

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Play the game

It has to be Ovalle's debut. El Tri goalie Esthefanny Barreras made a great stop on Emily Fox's long-range shot, but the visitors quickly scored.

Becky Sauerbrunn, a veteran American center defender, failed to clear a looping pass, allowing Ovalle to chip the ball past home keeper Alyssa Naeher.

Turning point.

The goal transformed the game, but the Americans were second-best from the start. Interim U.S. coach Twila Kilgore selected her most experienced roster for the first W Gold Cup, after securing a berth in the knockout round with wins against Argentina and the Dominican Republic.

It didn't matter. While Mexico, which had already secured a berth in the tournament's last round, looked sharp from the outset, the United States was unable to convert their 63 percent to 37 percent possession advantage into goals or even threatening opportunities.

In fact, the host team was fortunate not to be two goals down at halftime as another first-half Mexican attempt beat Naeher but did not reach the bar. Finally, FIFA's No. 2-ranked squad deserved to lose to No. 35 Mexico.

Key statistic

It's the USWNT's first setback against its southern neighbor since 2010, and its first on home turf. It was also not an isolated incident. EL Tri outshot the US 13-9 on the night, including a 4-1 lead in on-target shots.

"We found some pockets here and there but not nearly enough," Morgan went on to say. "We failed to capitalize on the opportunities we had. I don't believe we've put the goalie through any tests. I believe we gave up too readily. And Mexico arrived to play today."

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What's ahead for US women

A potential quarterfinal versus northern foe Canada. Whoever the Americans receive, there is a fantastic chance for the USWNT to demonstrate that Monday was an exception. Coming off the worst World Cup performance in their illustrious history in 2023, and with the 2024 Olympics in Paris now just six months away, the reaction will reveal a lot about where this squad stands when Emma Hayes takes command this summer.

What is next for Mexico?

Following one of the most significant victories in program history, El Tri's players must stay grounded. They've gained an edge by defeating the tournament favorites to win the group stage; Mexico, in principle, will face a less difficult opponent when the teams are re-seeded after the group round. But who would question Mexico's chances of reaching the last four — or better — after what they achieved on Monday?

Doug McIntyre writes about soccer for Fox Sports. Prior to joining FOX Sports in 2021, he worked as a staff writer for ESPN and Yahoo Sports. He has covered the US men's and women's national teams at various FIFA World Cup events.

At the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, Mexico surprised the four-time World Cup champion United States women's national team on Monday in their last first-round encounter. The 2-0 victory for El Tri in Carson, California. Mexico's victory—El Tri's first against the Americans in 14 years—was sufficient for El Tri to lead Group A against the hosts. It marks Mexico's second victory in 43 all-time matches with the United States.

The Mexicans' lone goal came late in the first half from Lizbeth Ovalle, and in stoppage time in the second half, Mayra Pelayo-Bernal added another.

When the group round ends later this week, the United States and Mexico will both find out who their opponents are in the quarterfinals.

USWNT forward Alex Morgan told the official broadcaster after the game, "This wasn't nearly our best." "We're gonna have to digest and break down this game."

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The game being played

It must be Ovalle's first game. The visitors scored on the counter shortly after what was perhaps the greatest opportunity for the United States up to that moment, a long-range Emily Fox blast that drew a wonderful save from El Tri goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras.
Veteran American center defender Becky Sauerbrunn gave the ball away to Ovalle, who had all the time in the world to chip the ball over home goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, after she was unable to clear a looping pass into the space behind her.

Pivotal moment

Although the goal altered the outcome of the match, the Americans were really not the best from the start. With convincing wins against Argentina and the Dominican Republic, the United States' interim coach Twila Kilgore chose her most seasoned starting team for the W Gold Cup, guaranteeing them a berth in the knockout round.

It made no difference. Mexico, which had already secured a berth in the tournament's last round, looked sharp right away, but the United States was unable to convert their possession advantage of 63 percent to 37 into goals or even close calls.

In reality, when another first-half Mexican effort beat Naeher but missed the crossbar, the host team was fortunate to not be down two goals at the half. Ultimately, Mexico, rated No. 35, was the side that FIFA's second-ranked squad deserved to lose to.

Important stat

It's also the USWNT's first defeat on home turf against its neighbor to the south since 2010. It was also no coincidence. EL Tri had a 13-9 overall edge against the U.S., including a commanding 4-1 lead in on-target attempts.

"We found some pockets here and there but not nearly enough," Morgan said. "We failed to take use of our opportunities. We haven't put the goalie to the test, I believe. We broke down much too readily, in my opinion. And now Mexico arrived to play."

What is ahead for American women?

a quarterfinal match on the continent, maybe against Canada, the northern opponent. The USWNT has a fantastic chance to demonstrate that Monday was an anomaly, regardless of who the Americans end up with. With only six months before the 2024 Olympics in Paris and after their poorest World Cup performance in their illustrious history, the answer will reveal a lot about the team's current state as Emma Hayes gets ready to take command this summer.

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What is ahead for Mexico?

After achieving one of the biggest victories in the history of the program, El Tri's players need to remain grounded. They've earned it by defeating the tournament favorites to win the group stage; theoretically, Mexico will face a less difficult opponent when the teams are reseeded after the group round. After what they achieved on Monday, however, is there any reason to question Mexico's ability to make it to the last four or even better?

Writer Doug McIntyre covers soccer for FOX Sports. He covered the US men's and women's national teams at many FIFA World Cups as a staff writer for ESPN and Yahoo Sports until joining FOX Sports in 2021.